Hand loom



Oct. 13, 1953 K J, SMlTH 2,654,937

HAND LOOM Filed July l5, 1949 Patented Oct. 13, 1953 HAND LOOM `Keith J.; Smith, Alhambra., assigner to Calcraflt Company, Pasadena, Calif.;` a corporation of California 'Applictin July-15, 1949, Serial N0. 104,824

` ii laims.

This invention relates `to `hand looms of that type which embodies a rectangular frame provided with upstanding weaving pins on each iside rail `thereof around which is looped a threador yarn, the latter being rst carried back and forth to extend between the pins of opposite rails and then passed back and forth between the `pins of the `other opposite rails of the frame, after which by the aid of aneedle the yarn is interwovenwith the initially arranged crossed rows of the yarn to weave a selected design.

`.It has heretofore been the'practice to construct hand loom frames from four sections -of wood, the ends of the `sections :being connected by mitered or rabbeted joints at the corners. Metallic pinshave been driven-in rows along the Side members or rails to provide the series of upstanding weaving pins around the frame. Such conventionalhand looinsl are subject to several disadvantages, 'one of whichis that they are expensive to manufacture, itbeing apparent that the joining of the side rails and the insertion of the weaving pins are costly production opera` tions. Another disadvantage residesinthe fact that unless heavy, hard and `expensive wood is employed, it is quite apt to splinterf due to rough usage, and this is detrimental for the reasonthat the minute filaments of theiyarn o'r thread may catch on such `splinters and'th'us become broken, Moreover, vthe wire pinsused inconventional hand loom frames "are smoth andslippery so that the loops of yarn extending therearouhd are easily ldisplaced therefrom andit frequently becomes necessary to retrieve the loops and reengage them on the bins. It is thusapparnt that such conventionalhand loom fframes are quite impractical, both frointhe` manufacturing and operational standpoiht's. A

Various attempts have been made to overcame theY deficiencies `of conventional hand loom frames, one such improved frame being'fnolded from plastic material but having steel weaving pins secured to the frame, Another proposed frame is made from wood and each Sideiail of the frame supports a ber bar which a series of integral teeth. While such fiber "teeth are moreeiiitient in retaining 'the ioo'ps f the vani in place, they ina'y be relatively weak and become easily broken. `Mcr'ovr, such ibe bars of teeth are rather unattractive and, as will be apparent, unless a psitive'means is provided "for Asecuring the bars in place, they are apt to becomedise assembled and lost. -Ii`fa`ster`1ing ldevices are einplbyd, the `ass'eribly eperatien i's complicated and the yfnanufaztdriftig'1``ist^` f the Aaflti'le riis materie allyincresed; i

Fabric Woven on handloom frames i`s usually made in four-inch squaresland these squaresare thereafter joined together to make a fabric.` piece of any desired size and shape. It is often desirable, however, to fabricate rectangular pieces'of smaller dimensions, that is, pieces which are 2" x 4", 3" x 4", 2" x 2, etc., such smallirec= tangles being used as fillers andas piecesfbr shaping the garment or otherfabricarticlebeing made. It has been proposed in the pasttto 'eine ploy a crossbar adapted to extend aeros's the frame of the loom and having a series of 'pine thereon corresponding in 'number to that of aside rail of the frame. The ends' ofthe crss'bai are selectively engageable with the pins of Vopposite side rails so thatthe bar can befadusted toward and away from a'third side rail to eauseitsfpins to cooperate with the pins of saidlthird rail.

While the use of such a cressbar permits the making of rectangular pieces, suchV pieces 'must have a length equal tothe full width of the frame. for example, fourinches, and it is impossible to Weave squares having sides Smaller than four inches. The crossbars referred to above are rather awkward to place en the frame land unless extreme care is exercised 'during 'such assembly, the pins of the side rails are 'apt to become bent. In another prior loom device oppositesiderails are provided withislits' on their inner surfacesfi" receiving the ends of thecrossb'ar tofrlctionally retain the bar in place on the fr'afne. 4It has been determined that such retaining means is ineiii'e' cient and the `bar is frequently inadvertently pushed through the framefthus' releasingthe threads being Woven.

Itis an object of this invention toobviatetliedeficiencies of the prior hand Vlooms discussed above by providing a loom frame which is molded in a single piece from plastic material, the weaving pins or teeth being momen integral with'the frame. B'y this construction, a highlyv efficient, serviceable andv attractive looin` frame is provided and,since nishin'gand assembly operations are eliminatedthe article can be inade at 'fa fract'ln of vthe cost of ni'nducing conv'entio'ntti ib'in frames where machining and assembling nf etniponent'sare'nec'essary.

Another object i`s"to provide a device,'f'th"e character referred to, in "which the integrally meiden weaving `pins or teeth aiemade smooth, that is, free from corners which might te'ndt damage the Smau `fihmients of the thread-"being woven. Another object in thisrespect is' 'to 'prvide weaving teeth whichhav'e iateraiiyana dut- Wardly projecting protuberances `attheix" upper free ends. these projections 'sertinge'fiettivelyto retain the thread or yarn loops in place on the teeth to guard against displacement thereof, thereby eliminating the necessity of extending the teeth too high, in order to retain the loops satisfactorily, and also eliminating interference with weaving operations.

A further object is to provide a hand loom frame which is especially strong and durable, the side rails having a channel-shaped cross-section so as,A to provide adequate strength and rigidity.

Another object is to provide a device of the type indicated in which the upstanding pins or teeth have portions which extend downwardly from the upper edges of the side rails ralong the sides thereof to provide markers by which the loops of yarn can be readily counted.

A further object is to provide a hand loom which includes a plurality of crossbars adapted to be inserted into the frame and to extend transversely thereof, the crossbars being molded from plastic material and having integral, longitudinally spaced, upstanding pins or teeth of the same form, size and spacing the teeth of the side rails of the frame. By this provision, the interior of the loom frame can be divided into rectangles of desired sizes so as to adapt the device for producing small woven rectangles of differing sizes to be used as fillers or shaping pieces in a Woven article. In accordance with my invention, there is provided a crossbar having a length substantially equal to the inside dimension of the square frame and by inserting this bar in the frame, rectangles having one of their dimensions equal to the width of the frame and their other dimension equal to a portion only of the Width of the frame can be produced as desired. It is a further object in this respect to provide an additional or auxiliary crossbar which can be installed in the frame to extend from the main crossbar to a side of the frame which extends parallel to the main crossbar so that the division made by the main crossbar can ce readily subdivided to provide relatively small squares. By this means, it is possible to produce a large variety of sizes of woven pieces and the device is thus rendered more universal in use. A still further object is to provide in a hand loom means for mounting the crossbars in place in the frame. In accordance with the concept of this invention, the inner sides of the side rails of the frame are provided with narrow vertical openings or sockets for receiving the narro-w ends of the crossbarsV which are merely lowered thereinto. As a feature of improvement, the openings do not extend clear through the material of the siderails so that there are provided ledges or seats at the bottom of the openings upon which the ends of the crossbars rest to be fully supported. The side rails may have any suitable number of the openings, preferably spaced apart in multiples of inches, so that by placing the ends of a crossbar in the appropriate openings, the interior of the frame can be quickly divided into rectangles of say, 2 x 4, 1 x 4" and 3" x 4". The auxiliary crossbars are employed when it is desired to produce squares which are smaller than the maximum 4 square, such as 2 squares and 3" squares. Such small squares are readily produced by causing an auxiliary crossbar to extend between the main crossbar and a side rail of the frame. To facilitate such an adjustment, the main crossbar is provided with one or more vertical openings and seats in at least one side thereof, these openings being adapted to align with the corresponding openings of a side rail of the frame. By this means, the ends of an auxiliary crossbar can be inserted in such aligned openings to subdivide the interior of the frame into small squares of desired dimensions, and this is a further important object of the invention.

Furtherobjects of my invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawing, which is intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my improved yhand loom;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a side rail of modified form;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a crossbar of slightly modified form; and

Fig. '7 is a diagram illustrating the various ways of dividing the frame to produce a wide variety of woven pieces.

Referring to the drawing in detail, my improved hand loom includes a square frame ID which is molded from a plastic material having relatively great strength and possessing high luster besides being especially attractive in appearance. The frame I0 comprises four integral side rails II, I2, I3 and I4 which preferably are of the channel shape shown in Fig. 3 to provide adequate strength while maintaining the weight of the frame at a low value. By this shape, the side rails have outer vertical sides I5 and inner curved support portions I6. If preferred, however, the rails may be made solid as shown in Fig. 5 and yet retain the same outer contour.

Molded integrally with the rails are upstanding weaving pins or teeth 2B which are preferably of substantially circular cross section to avoid `corners which might tend tocut the delicate laments of the thread or yarn being woven. At their upper ends, the teeth 2D are provided with laterally and outwardly projecting protuberances 2| which are preferably conical in outline and transverse to the side rails. As will be apparent, such enlargements serve as stops to limit the upward sliding movement of the yarn which is looped around the pins 20, so as to prevent unwarranted displacement of the yarn. After the piece of fabric has been Woven, however, the loops of yarn or thread can be stretched slightly over the enlargements to free them from the weaving pins. To facilitate counting the loops of yarn in the fabric being woven so as to aid in producing the desired pattern, means are provided for indicating the numbers of the loops. As shown in the drawing, the teeth o1' pins 20 have their lower ends disposed alongside and forming part of the vertical walls I5 of the side rails I I, I2, I3 and I4. These ends of the pins 20 thus provide, in effect, vertical ribs 22'which serve as indicator marks by which the pins can be conveniently counted. To further aid in the counting, the ribs 22 may be of different lengths as illustrated best in Fig. l. For example, every third rib may be made longer than the other y ribs.

astma? around the weavingpins A20.01 the several rside railsfin thelusual manner to form the -warp threads after which yarn- .is interwoven, by means of a needle, with. the crossing rows of the warp threads `to produce a fabric ofthe desired pattern. If the square defined by the rows of pins of the several side rails measures 4.. then the nished piece. of fabric Will also be a. 4 square. The completed squares can be later joined toproduce the desired fabric article or may be woven continuously in long lengths by removing alfinished square from the frame, hooking the loops at one of its sides to a row of the pins `2l), rethreading the loom frame and interlacing the loops of the previously made square with those of .the square .beingproduced this being a common procedure. It is sometimes desirable to produce relatively small rectangles and squares of the woven fabric to be used as fillers or forming pieces or to` be incorporatedin a blanket, afghan.

Varea, of the frame must be reduced. Such reduction or `subdividing is accomplished by means of crossbars, to be later described. For the purpose of mounting the crossbars, the inner curved support portions IB of the several side rails of the frame l0 are provided with relatively narrow, vertical openings or sockets 25. These openings do not extend clear through the material but rather end short of the bottom surface of the frame so as to provide horizontal rests or seats 21E.

A main crossbar 30' is molded from plastic material and is substantially cruciform in crosssection ras `shown best in Fig. 4. At its end portions, the horizontal arms of the cross are omitted so as to adapt the end portions to be received in the vertical openings or sockets 25 of the side rails of the frame l0 and 4to rest upon thev seats '26..of`the sockets as shown inFigs. 1 and 3. Intermediate its ends, at least one side `of the crossbar is extended laterally in a curved portion 3| which is provided with narrow, vertical openings `32 having horizontal seats 33 attheir lower ends, these openings being similar to theopenings` 25 previously: described.

'The crossbar 30 is alsoprovided with `vertically projecting weaving `pins or teeth 35 which Aare similar to and are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the teeth 20. The openings 25 are so'spaced relative to the ends of the side rails II. i2, I3 or I4 that when the crossbar 30 is disposed with its ends in one pair of opposite openings it defines, with the side rails, a rectangle which measures 3 x 4 and a second rectangle which is 1" x 4, this relationship being illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. When the crossbar 3|) is disposed with its ends in openings 25 arranged at the centers of opposite side rails, it divides the frame Ill into a pair of rectangles which measure 2 x 4".

In order to subdivide the frame '[0 into areas of even smaller dimensions, the present invention contemplates the use of one or more auxiliary crossbars, such as the one indicated generally at '4B in Fig. 2. The auxiliary crossbar 40 has weave pins Il and 'is similar to the crossbar k30 except that it has no socket openings. 'I'heends of the auxiliary crossbar '40, which is approximately 2 long, are adapted to t in the openings 25 and 32 of the respective side railsand crossbar 3|] and when so disposed in the frame it` may define, with. the side rails and the crossbar-30. a 2," x 2" square, a` 1" x 2" or ail/hx @L1-egtangle. It is thus seen-that by combining the crossbars 30 `and, 40 in various ways `within. the frame, effective working areas `of a large variety of sizes can be readily produced. For example, the. various permissible Vsquares and `rectangles are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 7 .in which lthe frame -IU Lisdesignated `by the :square ABCD,the main crossbar 30 by the lines YliGlor EH, and the `auxiliary crossbar by the lines -IKor JL. By arranging .the crossbars in the'various ways indicated in Fig. 4'7, squares measuring 4 x 4" `and-2 x 2",and byutilizing one or more... additional, i secondary one-inch crossbars, not .herein shown in detail but which may be represented by the lines MK, EM, etc., rectangles measuring 1" x 1", 1 x 2, 1" x 3, 1 x4, 2" x14 and 3" x 4" can be obtained. Consequently, `pieces of fabric `of various dimensions can be woven. The adjustment can be quickly and easily made by merely inserting the endsoi' the crossbars 30 and 40 inthe vappropriate openings25 and 32.` With `the crossbars `30 and ID in place, the Weaving procedure is substantially theA same as when they are not employed, the yarn being initially looped around the pins of the appropriate 'side rails and the crossbars.

It has been explained that the teeth 35 and 4l of the respective crossbars3 and 40 are similar to the teeth 2U of the frame Hl. The teeth 35 and 4i maybe provided with single, conical protuberances 44 at their upper ends (Fig. 6) orthey may have double protuberances as indicated at 45 and 4-6, respectively. Bythis means, the yarn or thread can be looped aroundthe pins .to extend in either direction and yet be retained in place. The crossbars can be inserted in the frame il) in either position to place the single protuberances on the desired side.

The side rails il, i2, `I3 and i4 of the loom frame llll have been described as being of channel shape. However, rails 48 of `solid plastic, such as shown in Fig. 5, can be utilized, in which case narrow `openings 49 providing the seatsV 50 are formed in the plasticmaterial. The rails 48 have integral, up'standing pins or teeth 5l forme'dwith protuberances 52 at their upper ends.

` It will be observed fromthe foregoing that my invention provides an improved hand loom which is` efficient in performing its intended function and which is strong and durable,` :besides `being especially pleasing in appearance. Since the device isl made entirely from plastic material, rit lends Vitself to mass production molding `operations ,so -thatit can be made` atlan exceptionally low cost. The molding pins or teeth, being formed integral with the squareloom frame, are made substantially circular in cross section so that the occurrence of sharp edges or corners, which mightitend to cut the delicate laments of the yarn or `thread being woven, is entirely avoided. Besides, by making the pins integral with the loom frame, it is unnecessary to mount them onthe frame and thus. the cost ofthe article is further reduced. The pins are molded with enlargements` or protuberances at their upper ends so that the. possibility of inadvertently displacing `the loops of yarn from the pins is eilectively resisted. As a further feature of improvement, the present loom is made wholly adjustable sothat the frame canbe divided into working` areas` of various sizes toenable the Weaver to Vfabricate rectangular pieces ofdiierent proportions. In accordance wi-th the invention, the

loom frame is divided by the use of crossbars having weaving pins or teeth and the crossbars are adapted to be mounted in the frame by merely inserting their ends in narrow openings in the sides of the frame. As another feature of the invention, the bottoms of the openings provide seats upon which the ends of the crossbars rest so that friction is not relied upon to retain them in their adjusted positions.

While I have herein shown and described the improved hand loom as embodied in preferred forms of construction, by way of example, it will be obvious that various changes might be made in the structure without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, I do not wish to be limited in this respect, but desire to be afforded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each offsaid rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality oi horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame, said side rails being of plastic material and integrally molded and being of substantially channel-shaped cross section, said integral teeth of said rails having laterally and outwardly projecting protuberances at their upper ends, said protuberances extending in planes transverse to said rails.

2. A hand loom as dened in claim l in which said teeth are substantially circular in cross section.

3. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, wherein said side rails are of plastic material and integrally molded and are of substantially channelshaped cross section, said integral teeth of said rails having laterally and outwardly projecting conical protuberances at 'their upper ends, said protuberances extending in planes transverse to y said rails,. opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame.

4. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, wherein said side rails are of plastic material and integrally molded and are of substantially channel-shaped cross section, portions of said teeth extending down alongside and providing ribs on the outer surfaces of said rails, said ribs being of varying lengths to facilitate counting said teeth, opposite rails of Said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame.

5. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced .up-

standing teeth formed integral therewith, opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame, wherein said crossbar is of molded plastic material having integral teeth, said teeth of said crossbar having laterally projecting protuberances at their upper ends extending normal to the longitudinal plane of said crossbar.

6. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame, wherein said crossbar is of molded plastic material having integral teeth, said teeth of said crossbar having laterally projecting, substantially conical protuberances at their upper ends extending normal to the longitudinal plane of said crossbar.

7. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends.

resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame, wherein said crossbar is of molded plastic material having integral teeth, `said teeth of said crossbar having laterally projecting, substantially conical protuberances at their upper ends extending normal to the longitudinal plane -of said crossbar, said teeth of said crossber being substantially circular in cross section.

8. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth fformed integral therewith, opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selectedseats of opposite side rails of said frame, wherein said crossbar is of molded plastic material having integral teeth, each tooth of said crossbar having a pair of oppositely directed, laterally projecting protuberances at its upper end extending normal to the longitudinal plane of said crossbar.

9. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having integral, longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth, opposite rails of said frame each having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with vertical notches, the bottom of each notch providing a horizontal seat; a crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends disposed in selected notches of opposite side rails and resting upon said seats thereof, said crossbar having at least one vertical notch in at least one side thereof aligned with one of said notches of one of said side rails; and an auxiliary bar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth and insertable within said frame to extend between said crossbar and a side rail parallel to said crossbar with its ends disposed in said aligned notches and resting upon the seats thereof, wherein each of said teeth of said rails, said crossbar and said auxiliary bar is lsubstantially circular in cross section and has at least one laterally projecting, substantially conical protuberance at its upper end.

10. A hand loom, comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, opposite rails of said frame having integral, longitudinally extending support portions disposed inwardly of said teeth and provided with a plurality of horizontal seats; and at least one crossbar having longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said crossbar being insertable within said frame to extend transversely thereacross with its ends resting upon selected seats of opposite side rails of said frame, wherein said crossbar is of molded plastic material and is cruciform in cross section.

11. A hand loom, consisting in a one-piece, plastic, rectangular frame having side rails each provided with longitudinally spaced, upstanding, integral teeth, said teeth being substantially circular in cross section and each having at least one laterally projecting, substantially conical, protuberance at its upper end extending normal to the longitudinal plane of the rail.

12. A hand loom comprising: a rectangular frame having side rails, each oi' said rails having longitudinally spaced, upstanding teeth formed integral therewith, said teeth having downward integral extensions disposed alongside the outer portions of said rails and providing ribs on the outer surfaces of said rails, said ribs extending downward varying the distances to facilitate counting said teeth.

13. A hand loom comprising: a one-piece, molded, rectangular frame having side rails, each of said rails having longitudinally spaced, upstanding teeth molded integral therewith; and outwardly projecting integral protuberances disposed on the upper end oi said teeth to retain yarn looped over said teeth, the width of said protuberances being equal to the Width of said teeth, the sides of said teeth directed longitudinally of the respective rails being free from protuberances.

14. A hand loom -as in claim 13 wherein inner portions of opposite side rails are provided with vertically Kdisposed retaining recesses, the hand loom including a crossbar whose ends are insertable into said recesses to extend transversely of said frame, said crossbar being provided with spaced upstanding teeth adapted to cooperate with the teeth of one of the side rails from which it is spaced in parallel relation thereto when inserted, the teeth of said crossbar having protuberances extending the full Width of said crossbar and projecting away from the protuberances of said cooperating teeth on said one of said side rails, the sides of said crossbar teeth directed longitudinally -of the crossbar being free from protuberances.

KEITH J. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 975,179 Todd Nov. 8, 1910 1,737,983 Stott Dec, 3, 1929 1,997,539 Bechhofer Apr. 9, 1935 2,190,813 Walker Feb. 20, 1940 2,198,624 Ki-mson Apr. 30, 1940 2,227,550 Moore Jan. 7, 1941 2,504,940 Wallach Apr. 18, 1950 2,601,715 Simonds July 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 582,345 Germany Aug. 12, 1933 

